Russ;
I assume that you are trying to maximize the return for him on the time and materials you are donating. I find that people will tend to pay more for a screw cap pen, either rollerball or fountain, than they will for a twist pen, even if the investment in kit and material is about equal. Not sure why that is, but I've seen it over and over. People may pick out a twist pen if they are looking for something to use, and know that's what they want, but I've seen a person balk at paying $100 for a platinum sierra with ebonite, but turn around and happily fork over that same price for a jr gent roller ball in resin or wood that was about the same cost to produce.
In a situation where you are not trying to draw people in to your product, like a sales booth, I also tend to think "bling sells" In an auction where your pen is competing against much larger, in some cases more valuable (and in some cases larger, but worth much less valuable) and often bright colored objects, you want it to grab as much attention as possible. Use bright, primary colored blanks, as opposed to subtle (however beautiful) wood tones, with as much contrast as possible.
And third, I agree a case or display stand will add much more perceived value than it does cost to include. For situations where a pen will be on display at a table with other items before the auction, I find the display stand idea seems to work much better. Again, you are trying to sell to a group of "non pen" people, even if they can't visualize themselves writing with the pen, they may be able to see it "in that empty spot on the shelf by the mantel" if it is on some sort of stand where it can be seen.
Best of luck
